Happy New Year!!!!

If they weren’t frozen to the ground, I guarantee I would have seen tumbleweeds blowing across the road on my drive into work.  Cube-land is vacant today on New Year’s Eve with the exception of those of us that are not full time employees.  It’s hard for me to not be a little resentful on days like today since I was asked to come in as a consultant only for a short time – that was over 2 years ago.  I can’t complain though because I do like this gig and there are many without jobs these days.

 

I haven’t been very good at updating this blog lately – Once again, I’ve gotten to a point where I feel like I need to create some profound posts to accurately recap my last couple of months.  I’ve decided against it since my wife has done such  a great job tracking our time lately on Gracie’s Caring Bridge site. 

 

Today is the last day of 2010, I thought I would write a couple thoughts about this year and the next. 

 

In 2010 we sadly lost Buck and Bodey.  I also had some issues with my eye that really forced me to think about my health and mortality, but the biggest event of the year has been the arrival of our daughter Gracie.  In many ways, it’s been the scariest year of my life, but at the same time, it’s been a very important and positive year.  Everything that has happened has really forced me to rethink about things in this life that are important.  I am nowhere near the same man that I was on 1/1/10.

 

2011 is also going to be a big year -- We fully understand that the first heart surgery that Gracie went through (and got through with flying colors) was just a temporary fix.  During this next year, we will be researching and asking a lot of questions to figure out what the next steps will be for her.  This spring, she will need to undergo another heart surgery.  At this point, we don’t know what or even where it will be for that matter (today, the options look to be either Minneapolis or Boston).  I look at Gracie every day and I truly feel that she is here for a much bigger reason.  It’s amazing to hear how much our tiny little newborn daughter has effected so many people.   So many times already, during the pregnancy as well has well as the first 40 days of her life, she has been doubted and every single time, she defies the odds.  I wish I could be half the fighter that this little girl is.  For the last couple days of her hospital stay, we stayed in the room next door to Mighty Max and his family.  They are from Fargo, ND.  Max also has Ds and an unbalanced heart.  Carrie and this little boy’s mom met on the internet even before Gracie was born – both searching for answers about their babies’ heart issues.  There are definitely differences between their hearts, but there are also similarities.  A few days after we left, Max flew to Children’s hospital in Boston – the plan is on Monday he will undergo a procedure that will hopefully fix his heart.  I can’t stop thinking about that little boy and continue to send all of them positive energy (I ask that you do the same - http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maxgerman ).  I truly believe that these two kids have been brought together for a reason.  They are both paving the way for babies with down syndrome and unbalanced heart issues.  I cannot wait for the day where we can all get together so they can play after all of this is behind us.

 

2011 is also the year that I have vowed to lose (at least) 50 lbs.  I am up to around $50 per lb in pledges – money raised will benefit the Down syndrome Association of MN and the Ronald McDonald House.  I am using this as an opportunity to raise money for two organizations that are important to me, but my motivation for this effort is for a much different reason.  I need to get healthy so I can get old with my wife and watch my girls grow up – Another thing that I’ve been thinking about lately is –  How, when my daughter was born with a bad heart and has to go through so much just for a chance at a life, could I do things and live in such a way that ruins my perfectly good heart?  If this is not enough to motivate me, nothing will be.  So, wish me luck – I’m not quite sure how I’m going to do it yet, but it all starts Monday…

 

Anyway – I plan on posting a lot more in the coming year to track my girls as well as my weight loss journey.

 

Happy New Year – I wish you the best possible 2011!!!